Sheffield City Council To Decide Future of Controversial Shoals Shooting Range

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Sheffield City Council To Decide Future of Controversial Shoals Shooting Range

A Shoals shooting range has become the target of a controversial city council decision.

Some people who live in Sheffield want the North Alabama Shooting Association range moved out of town. But hundreds of the range’s members are gearing up to fight back.

“It sounds just like a war zone,” said Ridge Point resident, James Reid, as he explains the noise that comes from the shooting range. “Sometimes it’s from sun up to sun down every day, in the summer especially, I mean, it’s terrible at times.”

Reid moved in 10 years ago and says the shooting range should be away from homes and outside city limits. “I’d just like to see them move it out, you know, I mean, I can see their side and our side too, but I would like to see them just move it,” said Reid.

After a few noise complaints to the club, Ridge Point residents presented the Sheffield City Council with a petition to get the shooting range moved.

During the Sheffield City Council meeting Monday, it’s standing room only, as more than a hundred shooting range members turn out to fire up support.

“We`re trying to do all we can so the club can be a benefit, an asset to the community, not a detriment,” said the shooting range president, Dwight Pilkilton.

Now, it’s up to the city council to decide, whether or not to get rid of the range. First, Sheffield Mayor, Ian Sanford says the council plans to let the NASA shooting club present their case in two weeks. Already, many club members plan to share their personal stories. Stories they hope resonate with the council.

“This is the one that started when he was just seven years old,” said club member, Sheryl Cannon. For Cannon, three generations of her family grew up learning how to shoot at the range. She hopes the tradition continues for other families, for years to come.